Man punched a stranger in the face at a pub in Louth

A 23-year-old man who punched a stranger in the face was sentenced to three months at Dundalk District Court last week.

Adam O'Neill of Brewers Close, Mill Street, Dublin 8 was charged with assault causing harm at the Phoenix Bar, Park Street, Dundalk on April 23rd 2022.

The court heard last Wednesday that the victim called to Dundalk Garda Station on April 30th 2022  to report that he had been assaulted a week earlier by an unknown man and had suffered bruising to his face and damage to his eye socket.

The defendant was subsequently identified from CCTV footage.

Court presenter Sgt. Richie Browne told Judge Stephanie Coggans the victim impact statement was read by Judge Nicola Andrews the previous week, and added the medical report was brief, but there were no lasting injuries and no broken bones.

The defendant had 20 previous convictions including two for assault.

The Defence barrister said his client is the father of a six month old baby, and when a bench warrant was issued for him last year, he wasn't in a good head space.

The lawyer added that the defendant is now off tablets and abstains from alcohol misuse, and has completed a Safe Pass course.

When Judge Coggans remarked that this was an unprovoked assaulted, the counsel replied that it was due to the misuse of drugs and a reliance on alcohol.

After hearing he is serving a two month sentence imposed two weeks ago, the judge said "This is outrageous" and imposed a three month sentence.

At the request of the defence recognizance was fixed in the event of an appeal being lodged.